WALMART REVISES LEAVE POLICY IN FACE OF VIRUS

Walmart is enacting an emergency leave policy for its 1.4 million hourly workers in the U.S. that allows them to take time off without penalty if they fear the spread of the novel coronavirus.

What happened

The nation’s largest private employer said Tuesday that a worker at its store in Cynthiana, Kentucky, tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. The worker is receiving medical care and her condition is improving, according to an internal memo. The retailer consulted with state and local health experts after learning of the case, reinforced its cleaning and sanitizing protocol, and the store remains open after Walmart conferred with the state government.

As part of the new emergency leave policy, Walmart said hourly workers who work in a store, club, office or distribution center will receive up to two weeks pay if they’re required to quarantine by the government or by the retailer.

Workers who have a confirmed case of the virus will also receive two weeks of pay. If they are notable to return to work after that time,

additional pay may be provided for up to 26 weeks for both full- and part-time hourly workers.

Why it happened

Walmart’s senior vice president of U.S. benefits, Adam Stavisky, said a revised policy with“additional support”for employees was required during these“unprecedented and uncharted times.”

Previously, Walmart Inc. allowed full-time hourly associates to carry over up to 80 hours of paid time off each year, and a part-time hourly associate could carry over up to 48 hours of paid time off.

ASSOCIATED PRESS After an employee tested positive for the coronavirus, Walmart amended its leave policy.